Imperial is a city in Imperial County, California, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of El Centro. Take a look below for 10 awesome and interesting facts about Imperial, California, United States.

1. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 14,758.

2. It is part of the El Centro metropolitan area.

3. In 2016 Imperial was the fourth fastest-growing city in the state, gaining 4.1 percent more residents from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2016.

4. It compares to Imperial County’s growth of 1.3 percent and Brawley’s growth of 1.2 percent.

5. Imperial was created by the Imperial Land Company and was named by George Chaffey. Imperial’s first post office opened in 1901. Imperial incorporated in 1904. The first mayor of Imperial was Allison Peck.

6. The town-site of Imperial was plotted in 1902 for home and commercial businesses. Its first buildings included a printing press, drug store, grocery store, brick building, and church. The city can also boast of having the first school in the valley and the first Chamber of Commerce.

7. The City of Imperial was incorporated July 12, 1904 thus being the first city in the valley to incorporate. The city was originally thought to become the county seat, but lost out to the City of El Centro in 1907.

8. Imperial through the years became the location for the home of the Imperial Irrigation District, the California Mid-Winter Fair and the Imperial County airport. Also several businesses were established in the city. Imperial was devastated by earthquakes in 1916 and 1940. An earthquake in 1979 destroyed many of the old buildings in the downtown business area, including City Hall. Re-building of the business district was slow for many years.

9. June 2014 a McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma crashed in a residential area. The pilot ejected safely.

10. The annual California Mid-Winter Fair takes place in Imperial, often in February, and receives over 100,000 visitors.